New bricks added to the Bourbon Capital Compass on Court Square

Guests and distillery representatives gathered Thursday to honor the placement of two new distilleries on the Bourbon Compass. Photo courtesy of Kim Huston.

By SYLVIA HORLANDERNelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

Thursday, May 18, 2017 — Two new limestone bricks are now embedded in the historic and unique Bourbon Capital Compass, located in the heart of Bardstown at the Old Courthouse on Court Square.

Angel’s Envy and O.Z. Tyler are the newest distilleries to be part of the Compass that marks the epicenter of the Bourbon Capital of the World. The event was hosted by Bardstown’s Bourbon Capital Community Alliance Thursday morning.

NCEDA President Kim Huston served as emcee at Thursday’s celebration in front of the Old Courthouse on Court Square. Photo by Sylvia Horlander.

Earl Hewlette, CEO Terressentia Corporation, owner of O.Z. Tyler, told the crowd that even though he and his company are new to the bourbon industry, they already feel a part of the bourbon family. Hewlette is originally from Owensboro, and his company is based in South Carolina.

Hewlette said the significance of being added to the compass was very important to him and his company.

“Being included in this industry centered in Bardstown is wonderful, and we are thrilled to also be included in the Compass”.

Bardstown native Jacob Call is O.Z. Tyler’s master distiller and operations manager, and said he understands how important bourbon is here and throughout Kentucky.

“It’s a special moment for me to be able to place this brick and also to be a part of the Alliance family.”

Wes Henderson, co-founder of Angel’s Envy Bourbon, says the excitement of being a part of the Alliance hadn’t hit him yet.

“The significance of this bourbon brotherhood, the significance of Bardstown in the world are impactful — especially to be a part of this small and distinguished group,” he said. “Even though all of these bricks represent different people and different companies, (the Compass) brings us together and allows us to collaborate.”

A handful of local dignitaries were on hand, including 50th District State Rep. Chad McCoy, Nelson County Judge Executive Dean Watts, Magistrates Keith Metcalfe and Bernard Ice, and Bardstown City Councilman John Kelley.

NCEDA President Kim Huston served as the event’s emcee, and Bardstown Mayor Dick Heaton welcomed the new distilleries to the Compass.

The Bourbon Capital Compass was dedicated last fall as part of The Kentucky Bourbon Festival. The Compass serves as a visual guide that depicts the location and distance of each distillery from Bardstown. More distilleries will be added as they open and begin production. The Compass currently has 28 limestone bricks.

ABOUT ANGEL’S ENVY. Angel’s Envy released their first bourbon, which was finished in Port wine barrels in 2011. It was the dream of a father and son team to create a spirit that could build a legacy. Inaugural Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame Member Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson (1938-2013) liked the idea so much that he came out of retirement to personally make it happen. Now his son and grandsons carry his spirit forward, distilling some of the finest whiskey in Kentucky from their beautiful new Louisville-based distillery.

ABOUT O.Z. TYLER DISTILLERY. O.Z. Tyler Distillery has roots set deep in Owensboro’s bourbon history. Dating back over 130 years, the Green River Distillery, built in 1885, was the first in Owensboro. In 1918 the entire distillery burned to the ground and was rebuilt in 1936 after prohibition. In 1940 it was purchased by the Medley family and continued to produce bourbon as the Charles Medley Distillery until 1993. In 2014, the distillery was purchased by Terressentia Corporation and after two years of extensive renovations, the O.Z. Tyler Distillery opened Sept. 1, 2016. The distillery was named for Orville Zelotes (O.Z.) Tyler, the co-inventor of the company’s patented TerrePURE accelerated aging process.